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FREE Community Street Theatre Performances! 10th Annual Kalevala Puppet Pageant The Cultural Center in New York Mills announces its 10th annual Kalevala Puppet Pageant large-scale street theater performances on Friday August 17 at 7 p.m. in NYM and Saturday August 18 at 3 p.m. in Perham. The Puppet Pageant workshops began on August 6th and since then, more than 25 community members have been working to build large-scale puppets and props to prepare for the 10th annual Puppet Pageant performances. Dance, music, acting, costume design, performance skills, and stilt walking have been taught by Anne Sawyer, Creative Director and Puppeteer from Minneapolis, who has worked with In the Heart of the Beast, Artstart, Chicks on Sticks, and Lifeworks, along with Assistant Director Lisa Winter of Wadena. Each year, an original play is written by Sawyer based on characters and tales from the Kalevala, the Finnish book of legends. This year’s performance tells “The Tale of Ukko the Thunder God.” In old Finland, Ukko the Thunder God and All-Father values hospitality and kindness. One day he goes in disguise as a beggar to the halls of the Witch of Pohjola. He asks for food and shelter for his family. Despite her magic and her wealth, the Witch refuses him. So the Thunder God […]

Lisa Greene

Betsy Roder

Inner Otter: Active

Betsy is the President of the Otter Tail Lakes Country Association. She is also the Director of the Culture Center in New York Mills. "I grew up in New York Mills, and left after high school to pursue an education and professional experiences. After living in Minneapolis for 10 years,…

Nicholas Leonard

Inner Otter: Active

"I grew up vacationing in Otter Tail County. After experiencing the lake lifestyle, I knew I wanted to live in Otter Tail Lakes Country. While the lakes and natural beauty brought me here, the wonderful people and community have made it my home!"

Emily Meyers

Board of Directors

Emily is the Creative Director and is charge of marketing, advertising & social media at Fair Hills Resort, Five Lakes Resort & Wildflower Golf Course. She graduated from the University of St. Thomas and spent several years working in the Twin Cities before moving up to Detroit Lake permanently

Dan Husted

Doug Bjorklund

Inner Otter: Active

I grew up in Otter Tail County, then after high school moved away to college, then on to work in the Minneapolis area. After a few months working in the Twin Cities, I knew I wanted to get back to Otter Tail County, I came back on the weekends and…

Ronald Sugden

This area of the country has some of the most amazing natural resources anywhere. Having the options to work and play in the middle of this is a huge plus. I really like the idea that a person can become as involved as they want, with a diverse group of people. Be it social groups, business groups, or government.

Events

This high energy event is the last hurrah of the Christmas Tree Festival. Generally held the first Saturday in December, this dinner and dance event is also the culmination of the Silent Auction, where winners of the Christmas displays are announced.

This week-long event showcases the creative side of local business owners who make holiday displays for the public to view and enjoy in the City Hall Ballroom. Take home one of the many displays as part of the silent auction to support Santa Anonymous. Various activities, which have included dance recitals, music shows and a live nativity, make the event even more memorable.

Annual community event held at the Cultural Center, sponsored by Civic & Commerce, features games, crafts & treats, with costumes encouraged. Children up to the age of 10 welcome; those under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. In the evening, families & kids of all ages can head to Mills Lanes for discounted bowling. For more information go to www.kulcher.org

October 6-7, 2018 Our biggest fundraiser of the year is LEAF DAYS. At Maplewood State Park there are 9,250 acres, and many of those are filled with sugar maple trees which provide us with some very nice fall colors. Maplewood State Park is one of the best places in Minnesota to enjoy the fall colors. Visitors can enjoy beautiful scenery from their vehicles, hike on some of the 25 miles of hiking trails, or enjoy a picnic in the park. Come join your “Friends” for a day in the park. Remember to bring your camera. We are looking forward to an amazing display of colors this fall. The park entrance is 7 miles east of Pelican Rapids on Hwy 108.

Music from 4 pm to 8 pm Bonfire from 4 pm to 8 pm Food will be sold from 4 pm to 8 pm Location of events and race finish is 28661 470th St, Vergas, MN. You don’t have to run to join the fun!….You will be in the “Heart of Hairyman Country!” *Registration at 3:30 pm at 28661 470th St, Vergas, MN (must be registered by 4:00 pm) Race Start Time 4:30 pm for a 5K *5K Registration Fee: $25.00 pre-registered by Sept 1, $30.00, pre-registered by September 24 and $40.00 after Sept 24 *Registration fee includes long sleeve shirt for 5K. (Mail entry form and fee to [email protected] Office, PO Box 32, Vergas MN 56587. Make checks available to Vergas Trail) Please be sure to sign your registration form. *ONLY 5K PRE-REGISTERED RACERS WILL BE GUARANTEED SHIRT * Medals will be awarded to top 3 finishers of all male and female age groups in the 5K: ~ 0-19 years olds/20-29 year olds/30-39 year olds/40-49 year olds/50-59 year old/60 and over – 1st place couple to finish race together~ *Medals will be awarded at the bonfire held after the race. They will not be mailed, please stay and pick up your […]

October 6-7, 2018 Our biggest fundraiser of the year is LEAF DAYS. At Maplewood State Park there are 9,250 acres, and many of those are filled with sugar maple trees which provide us with some very nice fall colors. Maplewood State Park is one of the best places in Minnesota to enjoy the fall colors. Visitors can enjoy beautiful scenery from their vehicles, hike on some of the 25 miles of hiking trails, or enjoy a picnic in the park. Come join your “Friends” for a day in the park. Remember to bring your camera. We are looking forward to an amazing display of colors this fall. The park entrance is 7 miles east of Pelican Rapids on Hwy 108.

Community corn feed including free corn from Civic & Commerce, food vendors, and a large-scale street theater Puppet Pageant performance presented by the Cultural Center. Held at the New York Mills VFW in 2017. Corn Feed begins at 4:00 and goes until 7:00 or when the corn runs out. Free Puppet Pageant performance begins at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome!

FREE Community Street Theatre Performances! 10th Annual Kalevala Puppet Pageant The Cultural Center in New York Mills announces its 10th annual Kalevala Puppet Pageant large-scale street theater performances on Friday August 17 at 7 p.m. in NYM and Saturday August 18 at 3 p.m. in Perham. The Puppet Pageant workshops began on August 6th and since then, more than 25 community members have been working to build large-scale puppets and props to prepare for the 10th annual Puppet Pageant performances. Dance, music, acting, costume design, performance skills, and stilt walking have been taught by Anne Sawyer, Creative Director and Puppeteer from Minneapolis, who has worked with In the Heart of the Beast, Artstart, Chicks on Sticks, and Lifeworks, along with Assistant Director Lisa Winter of Wadena. Each year, an original play is written by Sawyer based on characters and tales from the Kalevala, the Finnish book of legends. This year’s performance tells “The Tale of Ukko the Thunder God.” In old Finland, Ukko the Thunder God and All-Father values hospitality and kindness. One day he goes in disguise as a beggar to the halls of the Witch of Pohjola. He asks for food and shelter for his family. Despite her magic and her wealth, the Witch refuses him. So the Thunder God […]

Come One, Come All to the Greatest Show on Earth — 18 holes of fun on the greens, games, prizes and extreme networking. We’re calling the Ring Master and putting up the tent for “BIG TOP SCRAMBLE!” at Pebble Lake Golf Club on Friday, August 17th for the 14th Annual Fergus Falls Chamber Golf Scramble. Golfers have given this tournament a “5-Star Rating” for the fun, games and top-notch prizes. Chance to Win a 2019 Vehicle from Minnesota Motor Co. on #8 This event has been “Standing Room Only” for years, so it’s never too early to “get your ticket.” The Chamber is “calling all Clowns and Lion Tamers” and we want YOU! Sign up as a volunteer or sponsor. For those wanting to “Show their Tricks,” ticket booth (registration) opens June 4th for Chamber members with sponsorships debuting at $100 and going up to $1200 for top-billing. “Ringside Seats” will be for those who invest in the Chamber, defy the high-wire act, produce a team/sponsorship, show off their “magic” golf skills and tame the tigers before the clowns appear. Call the ticket hotline: 218-736-6951 or go online: www.FergusFalls.com to get tickets for the “BIG TOP SCRAMBLE!” Click Here for Registration Form All golfers, volunteers & sponsors who […]